Wyoming
World famous grizzly bear killed in Wyoming vehicle strike
A world famous grizzly bear at Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park was killed by a vehicle, according to officials on Wednesday.
The female grizzly, known as No. 399, was an extremely popular figure in the park, attracting nature photographers and wildlife fans from across the country. The grizzly was confirmed dead on Wednesday after being struck by a vehicle on Tuesday night in Jackson, Wyoming.
What We Know About the Collision
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that the grizzly bear was fatally struck by a car south of Jackson on Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon, and the bear’s identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip.
In addition, according to the agency, the bear had a yearling cub with her, whose whereabouts were unknown as of Wednesday morning.
“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the yearling was also involved in the incident, but the Service is monitoring the area,” the news release from the agency added.
While vehicle collisions with wildlife, including grizzly bears, are not uncommon, the FWS is working with state and local agencies to gather more information.
“Wildlife vehicle collisions and conflict are unfortunate. We are thankful the driver is okay and understand the community is saddened to hear that grizzly bear 399 has died,” said Angi Bruce, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
George Frey/Getty Images
What We Know About Grizzly 399
Grizzly 399 became famous for raising numerous cubs close to the park’s roads, allowing visitors a rare glimpse of a mother bear in her natural habitat. Over the years, she earned a devoted following with her life documented across social media and even celebrated in a book and featured in a PBS nature episode, making her a symbol of the park’s wildlife and the larger conservation efforts in the Rockies.
“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary,” Chip Jenkins, Grand Teton National Park superintendent said in a press release. “Grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the most prominent ambassador for the species. She has inspired countless visitors into conservation stewardship around the world and will be missed.”
Grizzly Bear Deaths Due to Collisions
The bear’s death serves as a reminder of the dangers that wildlife faces near human activity. Despite ongoing efforts to protect these animals within national park boundaries, park authorities continue to advocate for safe driving practices to help prevent further tragic losses of wildlife.
In addition, this is not the first time 399’s family has been hit by a vehicle.
Grizzly 610, an offspring of 399, had a scare in October 2023 when the bear was apparently struck by a semitruck and laid injured by the roadside for hours while her cubs watched from a distance. She later appeared to fully recover on her own and rejoined her cubs.
According to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, there have been 49 grizzly bear mortalities due to vehicle collisions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) from 2009-2023 with an average number of 3.3. grizzly bear deaths per year.
In 2024, including this incident, there have been two grizzly bear deaths from vehicle strikes in the GYE.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
LARAMIE, Wyo. — A bull moose was spotted roaming the streets of Laramie early Tuesday morning before being safely tranquilized and relocated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Photos from the University of Wyoming Police Department and Laramie residents show the creature curiously wandering through the university campus, where he was tranquilized before heading to a strip mall along Grand Avenue and taking a nap.
“Biologists got the call this morning that the moose was wandering in the UW Apartments neighborhood,” Laramie Region Game and Fish Information and Education specialist Hannah Smith said. “They responded to the scene and were able to dart the moose.”
While he was darted near the apartments, he didn’t stand around and wait for the tranquilizer to take effect. Smith said he worked his way east for about 20 minutes before ending up, coincidentally, in front of Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Lilly Avila, a Laramie resident working at a nearby coffee shop, told Cap City News the animal was sluggishly wandering the parking lot and rubbing against cars before the tranquilizer got to him.
“They brought him to the office and got him cooled down,” Smith said. “They don’t want to be in town. It’s a stressful situation for them, too. They can overheat really easily, so we get them cooled down before we transport them.”
Game and Fish couldn’t say as of Tuesday where the moose came from. Smith said he could have come east from the Pole Mountain area between Laramie and Cheyenne or up the Laramie River from the Snowy Range. Either way, his new home will be around Medicine Bow Mountain.
He also shouldn’t be feeling the effects of the tranquilizer for too much longer. Biologists gave him a reversal drug that should have prepared him to return to the wild.
“He should be pretty normal in terms of the medication. I think, in terms of his day, hopefully he goes back to living his happy moose life munching on some willows and doesn’t go for too many more walkabouts,” Smith said.
Related
Wyoming State Historic Sites Superintendent Sharie Mooney Shada made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to speak on the upcoming Immersion in Crow Culture program at Fort Phil Kearny on July 16.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at the Fort Phil Kearny Interpretive Center.
S. Mooney Shada
The rangers host free, family-friendly evening talks and presentations throughout the summer. Shada said the Native American Student Interpretive Ranger Program has enriched the visitor experience at Fort Phil Kearny. In its fourth year at the fort, the program allows a perspective from the indigenous side of history.
Keep up with events at Fort Phil Kearny by clicking here.
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